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STORY SUMMARY

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii - As the sun sets over Kailua-Kona, the triathletes battle extreme fatigue to finish the race before midnight,

Catherine Beryl Wilson of Australia runs the final stretch before becoming the last finisher of the IRONMAN World Championship on October 14, 2017 in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for IRONMAN)

(BIVN) – Long after the top professional athletes cross the finish the line, the thousands struggle to complete the grueling 2.4 mile ocean swim, 112-mile bike ride along the Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway from Kailua-Kona to the turnaround in Hawi, and 26.2-mile run beginning and ending on Ali’i Drive.

Kirsten McCay of the United States competes during the IRONMAN World Championship on October 14, 2017 in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for IRONMAN)

This year’s edition of the IRONMAN World Championship hosts the largest international athlete field in race history with athletes hailing from 66 countries, regions and territories, organizers say. Athletes ranging in age from 18 to 84 have earned their championship opportunity by qualifying at one of more than 40 IRONMAN® events worldwide.

Elinor Krock of Sweden competes during the IRONMAN World Championship on October 14, 2017 in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for IRONMAN)

John Joseph McGowan of the United States poses during the IRONMAN World Championship on October 14, 2017 in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for IRONMAN)